ways_infirmary | (no subject)

Billie peeps at him, then does a little yawn.

"Hey." Bonnie opens her eyes and smiles at him.

"Oh, hallo," he chirps in sort of a stage-whisper. Although he realizes he doesn't have to whisper because both Bonnie and the baby are awake. Or perhaps the baby is trying to sleep? He can't tell. He clears his throat. Softly.

"How are you, darling?" he asks Bonnie in a murmur.

"Sore and tired, but relieved." Bonnie says, reaching over to pick up Billie from the bassinet and hold her gently. "Thanks fer comin'."

"I saw the sign that was posted on the bulletin board, and I thought, already? And here? I thought you weren't due for another month. I suppose she couldn't wait much longer."

A pause.

"She is quite adorable, I must say."

"Do you want to hold her?" Bonnie asks.

"And yes, it was meant to be another month, but I was clearin' up the fair and she decided enough was enough."

He looks taken aback by the offer to hold the baby, and he chuckles awkwardly.

"Me? Oh-- well, I-- mmm, I probably shouldn't, I'm not very good at holding things that are small and alive and rather delicate, and plus I probably reek of cigarette smoke and gin, so it's all right, I'll just-- leave her in your very capable hands."

He huffs a breath.

"I did bring this for her, though." He holds up the teddy bear (which just happens to be made of baby-safe materials, including the sheriff's star, it's just orange felt). And he places it on Bonnie's lap.

"Oh Emcee, she'll love it, thank you!" Bonnie grins. "Her pa being a cop and all."

She puts the teddy in the blanket.

"You're welcome. And yes, the cowboy bear with its little sheriff outfit seemed more appropriate than the scuba bear and the pirate bear," he chuckles. "A little memento from the county fair as well. But I don't think you'll be able to tell her that story, will you? How will you explain her sudden appearance to people when you go back home?"

"Lucy took the kids out fer a walk to let me take a 'nap'." Bonnie says. "I'm more a little concerned about the fact I'm still meant to be at work tomorrow."

"But-- won't they find it strange that you had the baby with apparently no muss and no fuss?"

Emcee don't know nothin' 'bout birthing no babies, but he figures there's some strain and effort involved.

"And I'm sure your superiors wouldn't fault you for not coming in."

"There will be mess." Bonnie says. "The rest I'll be blamin' on a forty six year old pelvic floor."

Emcee snorts a laugh. Quietly.

"Well, as long as you have a plan. They'll be happy to have a new family member when they get back from their walk. Did the actual birth go well? Who helped you?"

"It was scary, but it was okay. Rae helped." Bonnie says. "She held my hand, she was wonderful."

"Sunshine?" It's then that he remembers what her given name is, and he grins warmly. "Oh, I'm so glad she was there for you. And you named the baby after her. That is awfully sweet."

"Thought she'd appreciate it, and it sort of flows with Billie." Bonnie says. "I'll run it past Turtle later, but I don't suppose he'll mind."

"She would, and it does," he agrees. "And Billie-- after your first husband?"

Bonnie nods.

"It was Turtle's idea." she says. "He said Bill was like a brother to him and he thought it might bring us some closure."

"Now that is a wonderful tribute. Your Turtle is a good man, and I have no doubt that you are going to raise this little girl right. She's had a good start here."

He pauses with a chuckle.

"I have to wonder how many other babies have been born at the end of the universe."

"I don't know - she ain't the first though." Bonnie says. "Guppy said the reason they have an infirmary now was after someone gave birth on the bar floor."

"Oh my, that can't be sanitary," he says, his eyebrows raised. "But fortunately this bar's floor is much, much cleaner than the ones I that have personally ended up on. Thank goodness you were able to get here in time."

He then glances around for the infirmary rats.

"Do you need anything, while I'm here? Perhaps something to eat or to read...?"

"Oh my, that would be bliss, thank you - alcohol free beer and a motorbike magazine?"

"Of course, my dear! Don't go anywhere..."

He grins and steps out for a moment to fetch a bottle of alcohol free beer and a motorcycle magazine from her year (but an upcoming issue that hasn't been published yet). He returns shortly and sets them down on the bedside table within easy reach.

"If you want to relax now, I could-- put her back in the bassinet?" he offers bravely.

"That looks magnificent, and thank you." Bonnie hands the little one over to Emcee.

Billie opens her eyes wide and wraps her fingers around his arm.

He gently slips one hand under her head to support it and the other under the rest of her tiny body, and then freezes when she wakes up.

"Oh. Hallo, there."

Very carefully, he deposits her in the bassinet, tucking the blanket snugly around her. He holds the teddy bear up above her face and wiggles it.

"He's going to watch over you while your mama takes a break, all right, liebling?"

The baby makes a little sleepy noise, then yawns again, and appears to accept this.

"You're definitely gettin' a proper cuddle later." Bonnie says, grinning at him.